What email formats or styles (short/long, curiosity-driven, listicle) resonate best with cold leads?

Emailing cold “make money online” (MMO) leads – like those you get daily from My Lead Gen Secret (MLGS) – can be challenging

These prospects are often skeptical from seeing countless biz-op offers, yet open to a real opportunity. The good news is, with the right email format and style, you can spark their curiosity, earn their trust, and turn more of those cold leads into eager sign-ups. This guide will walk you through proven strategies on email length, tone, subject lines, content format, trust-building, and common mistakes to avoid – all tailored for MLGS affiliates. Let’s dive in!

Short vs. Long Emails – Which Works Best?

When it comes to cold leads, less is often more. Many successful affiliate marketers report that short, concise emails outperform lengthy ones for cold outreach. Your leads’ inboxes are flooded; they’ll likely skim or skip a long wall of text from someone they don’t know. Keeping your email brief and focused not only respects their time but also piques interest without overwhelming them. In fact, experts advise that a cold email should be “short and sweet – brief and to the point,” because “long, rambling emails are likely to be ignored.” Likewise, one email marketer noted that “short and sweet, to the point, gets the job done nicely” for converting cold prospects.

This doesn’t mean your emails should be hollow or devoid of personality – just that every sentence should have a purpose. Brevity and directness tend to perform well with MLGS leads in particular. A clear, concise message makes it easier for a skeptical reader to see “what’s in it for me?” and decide to click your link. Data even shows that around 120 words is a “perfect” length for marketing emails – roughly a few short paragraphs. Aim to stick to one main idea or offer per email. If you have more to say, save it for a follow-up rather than one bloated message.

What about long, story-driven emails? These can work if done expertly, but use caution. A compelling personal story can grab attention and build rapport (more on that soon), yet busy cold leads might not read a novella from a stranger. If you do go longer, hook them early – never open with boring preamble. As email experts note, the biggest story-email mistake is “starting too slow.” Your message should “start with an explosion” (figuratively!) – drop the reader right into an intriguing scenario or bold statement. In short (pun intended), test different lengths but lean toward concise emails that drive curiosity. You can always provide more details on your landing page or in subsequent emails once they’re engaged.

Leverage Curiosity: Subject Lines & Cliffhangers that Compel Action

Your subject line is everything when emailing cold MMO leads – it’s your first (and sometimes only) chance to grab their attention. The best senders know a curiosity-driven subject line can make all the difference. In fact, simply tweaking a subject to be more intriguing and open-ended can double your open rates. By creating a gap between what the lead knows and what they want to know, you tap into a powerful psychological trigger: FOMO (fear of missing out). Marketers call this using an “open loop” – like a cliffhanger that leaves the outcome unknown. When people see a hint of a story or benefit without the full explanation, it gnaws at them – they feel compelled to open the email to close the loop and get the payoff.

How can you apply this? Craft subject lines that spark questions or promise something intriguing, without giving it all away. For example, instead of a bland subject like “Join My Lead Gen Secret for 100 Leads a Day,” pique curiosity with something like “This ‘Secret’ got me 100 leads/day (but there’s a catch)”. The reader thinks, “what secret? what catch?” – and has to open the email to learn more. Another example: “3 odd facts I learned from 3,000 leads” or “Why I almost quit… and what changed my mind”. These hint at a story or list of insights that arouse interest. Cliffhanger phrases like “…here’s what happened” or “One thing left to do…” can also work inside the email to drive clicks. Some savvy email marketers even end an email with a teaser for tomorrow’s message (e.g. “Something happened that changed everything – I’ll tell you in the next email”) to boost the next day’s opens . Used judiciously, curiosity is your friend – just be sure to deliver relevant answers when they do click through or you risk irritating your reader.

Don’t forget the basics: keep subject lines short (many recommend ~6–10 words) and mobile-friendly. Over 1.7 billion people check email on their phones, so if your subject is too long to read at a glance, it may be ignored. A/B test different subject styles over time – you’ll likely find that those with a dose of intrigue consistently outperform dry or overly salesy ones. “A compelling, curiosity-driven subject can double open rates, making a massive impact on clicks and conversions,” as one affiliate case study noted. Open loops, cliffhangers, and questions in your subject line = more eyes on your email.

Listicles vs. Stories vs. Results – Email Formats That Resonate

What type of email content works best for cold biz-op leads? Should you send a quick listicle (“3 Reasons I Joined MLGS”), a personal story, or a flashy results-based promo? Let’s compare formats – often the winning approach is a blend of these.

• Listicle-style emails (e.g. “5 Reasons I Tried X”): These can be highly effective because they’re structured, scannable, and curiosity-provoking. People are naturally drawn to numbered lists – “People love numbered lists (hence, the rise of the listicle),” note marketing experts . A subject line that includes a number (“3 reasons…”, “5 tips…”) promises a quick, snackable set of insights, which is enticing to a busy lead. For MLM/MMO leads, a list of reasons or benefits for trying your offer can directly address their internal questions (“Why should I bother with this?”) in a friendly format. For example, an email titled “3 Reasons I Finally Joined MLGS” might enumerate: 1) Easy daily leads, 2) Affordable cost ($1/day), 3) Earning while building my list, with a brief explanation of each. This format builds intrigue (they’ll wonder what the 3 reasons are) and delivers value in a digestible way. Keep list items relatively short; as HubSpot suggests, a list email should contain just “four or five ideas to whet the prospect’s appetite” , not an overwhelming 20-point manifesto. Listicle emails also allow you to inject a bit of personality or mini-stories into each point, without rambling. They’re a great middle ground between pure brevity and full storytelling.
• Story-based emails: Humans love stories – even jaded opportunity seekers will perk up for a relatable narrative. A well-told story can differentiate you from the dozens of bland promo emails these leads see. By sharing your journey or someone else’s success story, you create an emotional connection and credibility. In the MLGS context, a powerful angle is to tell your own “I was skeptical too” story. For example, you might write about how “I remember staring at yet another ‘earn online’ program and thinking it was BS… but then I discovered something that actually worked.” Describe a bit of your struggle or doubts, then the breakthrough with MLGS (or whatever you’re promoting), and the results you saw. This mirrors the lead’s own skepticism and shows you’re not just a faceless spammer – you’re someone who was in their shoes and found a solution. One MLGS user reported that when he wrote genuinely about his struggles and why he believed in the opportunity, it paid off: a previously cold lead replied to his email, “This sounds interesting, but what’s the catch?” . That response is a huge win from a cold contact – it shows the story-engaged the person enough to start a conversation. Stories build trust and make you memorable. Tips for story emails: Keep them engaging from the first line. As mentioned earlier, start in the middle of the action or a tension point (e.g. “I was staring at my screen, about to give up on online business, when…”) . Use a conversational tone and vivid imagery to pull the reader along. About 2–4 short paragraphs is plenty – long enough to develop a little drama, but not so long that the payoff (your link/offer) is buried. And always tie the story back to your offer by the end. For instance, if your story is about finally succeeding after joining MLGS, conclude with a call-to-action like “If you’re ready for your breakthrough, you can try the same system that worked for me.” Storytelling emails may not get every lead to click immediately, but they warm up your list, build your credibility, and can lead to higher conversions over a few emails as trust grows .
• Results-based or “proof” emails: These focus on tangible outcomes – e.g. sharing your earnings, leads gained, or other metrics that provide proof the system works. Skeptical leads often demand, “Show me the results!” So, showing actual numbers or testimonials can be very persuasive if they’re believable. For example, you might send an email saying, “Proof: My 30-Day Results with [Program]”, and inside detail something like “In the last 30 days, using only MLGS leads, I generated 11 sales totaling $1,335 – and that’s profit, not just revenue .” Such specifics lend credibility (notice that example even mentions the profit after costs) and they get a cautious reader thinking, “hmm, maybe this is real.” Including a small screenshot of your affiliate dashboard or a photo of a commission check (if allowed and not triggering spam filters) can also reinforce the proof visually. Additionally, you can incorporate mini testimonials from others: e.g. “John, another MLGS user I know, added 200 leads and made his first sale in week one.” Real success stories, even modest ones, help overcome the “is this legit?” barrier. However, use results-based messaging carefully. Avoid over-the-top claims (“$10,000 in a week with no work!!”) – savvy biz-op leads will roll their eyes or mark spam. It’s far better to share reasonable, true figures (even small wins like “$100 my first month”) along with a brief explanation, so it comes off as authentic and achievable. Always be honest; if you lie or fabricate proof, you’ll destroy trust if the truth comes out. Also, frame the results in terms of benefit to them: for example, “I’m excited because it means someone brand-new can replicate this success.” This shifts the focus from just bragging about yourself to showing the reader what they could gain – a critical distinction. Used right, showing results (your own or credible testimonials) builds confidence that your offer isn’t just hype. As one cold-email expert put it, “Your prospects are likelier to trust you if they see the results you’ve already achieved.” Including such social proof up front helps establish credibility .

Which format is “most effective”? In practice, a mix often works best. You might kick off a campaign with a snappy listicle email to hook interest, follow up with a story email to build connection, and later drop in a results-oriented email to push fence-sitters over the line. You can even combine elements in one message (e.g. tell a short story and include 3 bullet-point lessons or reasons learned from it). Monitor your open and click rates – you may find your particular list responds more to one style. But generally, curiosity + value + proof is a winning formula. For example, an email that says “5 Reasons I Love MLGS (I was skeptical too!)” uses a number (curiosity and structure), delivers value in reasons, and implies a personal journey from skeptic to believer (story/proof). That hits all the notes. Always remember: cold leads crave something different from the usual spam. So whether it’s a list, story or case study, make sure your email feels fresh, genuine, and relevant to their aspirations.

Tone and Trust: Warming Up Skeptical Leads from Line One

Getting a cold MLGS lead to open your email is just step one – what they read immediately after “Hi [Name],” will determine whether they keep reading or tune out. The opening lines of your email should build trust and rapport right away. Here’s how to do it:

• Start with their perspective in mind. A common mistake is opening with a self-centered pitch about you or your product. “The harsh truth is – your prospects don’t care about you or your latest features. They care about what you can do for them and how you can help them succeed,” as one cold-email expert bluntly states. So avoid launching into “I, I, I” or corporate-speak. Instead, acknowledge a pain point or desire your MMO lead likely has. For example: “If you’re like me, you’ve probably wasted time on programs that promised easy money and delivered nothing.” A line like that shows you understand their frustration. It builds an instant bond (“this person gets me”) and sets you up as someone who has a solution to share, rather than just another salesperson. Addressing the lead’s challenges or goals up front – in simple, relatable language – demonstrates empathy and grabs their attention. It signals, this email is about you, the reader, and solving your problem.
• Use a friendly, conversational tone. Write as if you’re emailing a colleague or a friend you respect – warm, genuine, and down-to-earth. A conversational tone makes your message feel more human and less “mass email.” Avoid overly hypey language or ALL CAPS yelling; that screams “marketing” and breeds distrust. Also avoid jargon or anything that sounds like a boilerplate template. Cold leads are allergic to spammy vibes. Instead, maybe start with a casual greeting (“Hey [Name],” can work, or just first name) and a line that sounds like a real person talking. For instance: “I’ll get right to the point – making money online isn’t as easy as those gurus claim, is it?” This is disarming and conversational, and it shows you’re not here to BS them. Studies show that emails with a friendly tone have higher engagement – people are more likely to respond when the message feels like it’s from an approachable human, not a robot or faceless company. Pro tip: Read your draft out loud – does it sound like something you’d actually say? If not, loosen it up. Contractions, simple words, even the occasional light humor can make you sound more personable. Just stay respectful and appropriate.
• Establish credibility without bragging. Early in the email, it helps to quietly answer the question in the reader’s mind: “Who is this and why should I listen?” You can build credibility by mentioning a relevant detail about yourself that benefits them. For example: “I’ve been marketing online for 3 years and finally found a way that’s working.” Or “As a fellow member of [some community]… I wanted to share something that helped me.” If you have a notable result, you might mention one (briefly) to back up your subsequent advice (e.g. “Within a month I started seeing 20%+ open rates and sales coming in ”). The key is to do this very humbly and factually, in one or two lines – enough to show you’re not a total newbie and not a scammer, but not so much that it feels like chest-puffing. You can also build trust by referencing a common touchpoint (for instance, if you know they all came through a certain traffic source or opt-in, mention that: “You signed up somewhere looking for leads – me too”). Additionally, if you have any third-party endorsement or relevant affiliation, you could mention it subtly (e.g. “I’ve helped a few friends boost their affiliate sales, and I’d love to help you too” – only if true). Remember, trust is earned with cold leads; your goal in the first lines is simply to avoid triggering skepticism. Sounding authentic and helpful is far more important than listing credentials.
• Focus on helping, not selling (at least at first). The tone should be helpful mentor or peer, not pushy salesperson. You want to “make them feel like you’re there to help them, not to sell,” because then “they will feel more comfortable” engaging. One effective approach is to offer a quick tip or valuable insight right in the beginning of the email – with no immediate ask. For example: “One trick I discovered: I changed a single word in my subject line and doubled my clicks. It taught me how important curiosity is when emailing these leads…” By sharing a little nugget of advice (something your lead can use whether or not they buy anything from you), you establish good will. You’re proving you have value to offer. This builds trust and positions you as an ally in their make-money-online journey. It also earns you the right to be heard when you do segue into your pitch, because you’ve given before asking. Throughout the email, maintain that value-first mindset – educate, inspire, or genuinely assist them in some way, and you’ll stand out from the crowd of pure sales pitches.
• Be authentic and transparent. If you’re promoting an affiliate program like MLGS, don’t hide it – but frame it as a solution that genuinely helped you (if true) and could help them. It can even help to acknowledge the elephant in the room: their skepticism. For example: “I know this might sound like the ‘too good to be true’ stuff we all hate. I felt the same skepticism. So I did something different – I tested it rigorously. To my surprise, it worked, and here’s what changed…” Such candor can disarm defensive readers. It shows you’re aware of their doubt and aren’t afraid to address it. Also, if there are any “catches” or effort required, be honest about it. Ironically, admitting a drawback can increase trust (e.g. “Of course, it’s not a push-button ATM – I had to spend 15 minutes a day emailing, but the results made it well worth it.”). People trust you when you tell the whole truth, not just a sugar-coated half. Authenticity matters enormously: “People could tell that I wasn’t reading from a script. My genuine tone helped break down the barriers of skepticism,” as one MLGS user reported after improving his email approach. In a niche filled with hype, being real is a breath of fresh air that can earn you a loyal subscriber (and customer).
• Personalize when possible. If you have the lead’s first name, use it (sparingly – maybe once in greeting or in the body naturally). Any bit of personalization can signal that this isn’t a blast to a million people (even if it is). You likely don’t know much about individual MLGS leads, but you do know they’re interested in making money online. Use that. Reference the niche specifically: e.g. “Whether you want extra income from home or to finally quit the 9–5, the MMO world can be confusing. I’m here to help cut through the noise.” This shows you’re talking to them, about their dreams. If you have segmentation (say, leads who showed interest in a certain angle), tailor the message accordingly. The more the email feels “just for me,” the more trust it builds. On the flip side, avoid anything that feels generic – phrases like “Dear subscriber,” or a stiff introduction will turn them off fast. As a rule, write to one person, not a crowd. Even if you can’t deeply personalize content, you can sound personal in tone – using “you” and talking directly to the reader’s situation.

Finally, format for readability – this is part of tone too in a way. Use short paragraphs (1–3 sentences) and maybe a few bullet points if appropriate. A giant block of text is daunting and screams “marketing email.” Leads will just skim or delete. It’s said often, but worth repeating: on a quick glance, your email should look clean and easy to read, especially on a phone. “Short paragraphs of 3-5 sentences… make the email easy to scan” and far more likely to be read fully. Even a great friendly tone won’t matter if your lead’s eyeballs glaze over at a dense blob of text. So break it up – use line breaks, dashes, even emojis tastefully if it fits your style, to create a visually inviting message.

All these tactics in combination will warm up your cold leads fast. By the time they finish your email, they should feel like they know you, trust you, and even like you a little. That’s when they’ll click your link or reply to learn more – because you’ve shifted from “random stranger in my inbox” to trusted guide in their mind.

Mistakes to Avoid When Emailing MLGS Leads

We’ve covered what to do – now a quick rundown of what not to do. These are common mistakes that can tank your response rates or even get your emails marked as spam. Steer clear of these pitfalls:

1. Sounding like spam or a scam. This might seem obvious, but it’s worth explicitly stating. MLGS leads are spam-weary; certain phrases and tactics will send up red flags. Avoid overly hypey claims, spam trigger words, and aggressive sales language. For example, subject lines screaming “$$$ Act Now – Make THOUSANDS!!!” or excessive use of all caps, exclamation points, and words like “FREE money” will likely get ignored or filtered (and undermine your credibility). Also, never use deceptive tactics like fake “Re:” or “Fwd:” in the subject to trick opens – those might get opens initially but breed resentment and mistrust. Be intriguing, yes, but stay truthful and professional. You want to excite curiosity without triggering skepticism or spam filters. If your email reads like a late-night infomercial (“But wait, there’s more!!”), rewrite it with a calmer, more sincere tone.

2. Focusing on yourself, not the reader. As discussed, a self-centered pitch is deadly in cold email. Don’t start by blathering about your company, your product specs, or your personal success at length. The reader doesn’t care (yet). They care about their problems and goals. Make sure you avoid what one forum expert calls the “praise talk about yourself.” An email that’s mostly “I did this, my product does that, I achieved X” with no mention of the prospect’s needs will fall flat. Always flip the script to how those facts benefit them. For example, instead of “I built a huge list and made a fortune,” say “You can build a list quickly and finally make commissions too – I’ll show you how I did it.” The difference in approach is subtle but huge. Cut out ego and put the reader first.

3. Writing big blocks of text. Long, unbroken paragraphs are intimidating and hard to read – especially on mobile. If your email looks like an essay, many will delete it on sight. Remember, nearly half of people check email on phones, where a 10-line paragraph turns into a scary 20+ line scroll. To avoid this, use the 3-5 sentence paragraph rule (at most) . Even one-sentence paragraphs are fine if it drives a point home. White space is your friend. Also, get to the point quickly. Don’t make the reader wade through fluff to find why you’re emailing them. Every extra unnecessary sentence is an opportunity for the reader to lose interest. Streamline your copy – editing ruthlessly – and break it up for readability. A well-formatted email signals respect for the reader’s time and attention.

4. Selling too hard, too soon. This is a classic mistake: blasting a cold lead with a hard sell in the very first email. Example to avoid: opening with “Join this program now, it’s the greatest, click here to buy!!!”. Cold leads don’t respond well to straight-up sales pitches from strangers – it feels spammy and off-putting. Instead of “selling from the start,” focus on starting a relationship. Provide value or insight first, ask questions, or share a story as discussed. Earn the right to pitch. If your entire email is basically a long ad with a bunch of calls-to-action, you’ve gone wrong. A single, clear CTA after you’ve built some interest is ideal. But multiple CTAs all over, or an urgent demand to “BUY NOW” with no prior rapport, will get you nowhere (except possibly the spam folder). Think of it this way: your first few emails to MLGS leads should be about engagement and trust, not just closing a sale. Ironically, by not overtly pushing the sale immediately, you increase the likelihood of ultimately making one.

5. Not building any trust/credibility. The flip side of the above: some emails fail because they give a pitch but the reader has zero reason to believe or trust the sender. Avoid vague, unsubstantiated claims (“this system is awesome, believe me!”) without any proof or personal authenticity. Also avoid asking for big commitments too early (like booking a call or spending money) before you’ve built confidence. If you don’t include at least something to establish credibility – whether a quick intro of who you are, a snippet of proof, a testimonial, etc. – then you’re basically a random person saying “do this thing” with no authority. These leads are skeptics; they need a reason to take you seriously. Don’t remain a mystery. Even a line like “I’ve been using MLGS for 60 days and it’s paying off” or referencing a known figure/resource can ground your email in reality. Be credible, not incredible (in the “unbelievable” sense).

6. Using the same old swipe or generic template. If you’re an MLGS affiliate, you might have access to premade email swipes. Be very careful with those. While they can be a helpful starting point, everyone else is using them too! Many MLGS leads have likely seen the exact same subject lines and pitches from other members. Sending the default template will just blend you into the noise (or worse, annoy leads with repetition). Differentiate yourself. Take inspiration, but rewrite emails in your own voice and angle. Add personal touches or new stories. If the swipe says “Hello friend, here is secret to wealth…”, you might change it to a more genuine greeting and perhaps an anecdote of your own. The extra effort to make your emails unique will pay off in higher engagement. An authentic message stands out like a beacon among formulaic spam. As noted earlier, people can smell a “script” – and “my genuine tone helped break down… skepticism” in one case precisely because it wasn’t the canned spiel. So don’t be a clone; be authentically you in your emails.

7. Neglecting to proofread and polish. Typos happen to everyone, but a sloppily written email full of mistakes screams unprofessional and untrustworthy. Make sure to proofread your emails before sending – check name spelling, grammar, and links. A common blunder is sending an email with the wrong name or placeholder text (“Dear {FirstName},”) – a dead giveaway of mass mailing and lack of care. Even one obvious mistake can reduce your credibility (if you “didn’t bother to double-check,” the prospect figures you might be sloppy in other ways too ). On the flip side, a clean, well-written email implies you’re serious and legitimate. It doesn’t have to be poetry; just ensure it reads clearly and looks professional. Pro-tip: use tools or even have a friend glance over it if possible. And always test your links! Few things are worse than an interested lead clicking your link and it doesn’t work. In short, sweat the small details – they add up to an important first impression.

8. Giving up too soon. Okay, this is less about email copy and more about strategy, but it’s vital. Cold leads – especially these kind of leads – often require multiple touches before they take action. Don’t make the mistake of sending one email, getting no sale, and writing the leads off. It can take several emails over a few days or weeks to warm them up. Persistence (within reason) is key . Many MLGS users send emails daily (since the system allows one mailing per day) – and they only start seeing consistent sales after engaging the leads over time with different angles and continued value. So avoid the “one and done” mindset. Also, don’t be discouraged by low open rates initially; focus on improving them with better subjects (using the tips above) and keep emailing. As long as you’re not seeing high unsubscribe or complaint rates, it means leads are tolerating (even appreciating) your messages, and you’re simply filtering to find the truly interested prospects. Follow up, follow up, follow up – tweaking your approach as you learn what resonates. That persistence, combined with genuine helpful content, signals to leads that you’re committed and confident in what you’re offering (as opposed to a fly-by-night spammer). Often the sale comes on email #5 or #7, not #1. So avoid the mistake of quitting too early – consistency pays off.

By steering clear of these mistakes – and using the positive tactics we covered – you’ll greatly improve your chances of turning cold MLGS leads into hot prospects. Each email is an opportunity to build a relationship (or to burn a bridge, if done poorly). Focus on being the helpful, trustworthy advisor in their inbox, and you’ll separate yourself from the pack of spammy marketers.

Final Thoughts: Engage, Don’t Just Pitch

Marketing to cold biz-op leads is as much an art as a science. There’s no one magic email that will convert every skeptical prospect – but by testing the strategies in this guide, you’ll discover what resonates best with your list. Remember to engage, not just pitch: lead with curiosity, deliver value, share relatable stories, and prove any claims you make. Write in a tone that inspires confidence and camaraderie. When you treat leads like real people – with real hopes and doubts – and consistently show up with helpful insights, they begin to trust you.

Over time, you’ll build a list of MLGS leads who actually look forward to your emails each day because you’ve proven you’re not just another salesperson yelling “Buy now!” – you’re that motivational friend or mentor who genuinely wants to help them succeed. And when a new offer or your MLGS affiliate link comes along, those warmed-up subscribers will be far more likely to respond and convert.

In summary, the consensus from experts and successful affiliates is clear: keep emails concise and impactful (no fluff!), spark curiosity to get opens, use listicles or catchy formats to deliver your message, weave in stories and social proof to build believability, and establish trust from the very first line with a genuine, value-first approach. Avoid the common blunders that scream “spam.” If you do all that, you’ll dramatically increase your engagement with cold MMO leads.

Every day with MLGS you have another 100+ chances to refine your craft. Track your results – which subject lines get the best open rate , which email style draws the most clicks or replies. Let the data guide you on what your leads respond to. Be patient and persistent. As one case study concluded, “High-quality, automated leads are not a myth. They’re real, and they work if you take the time to engage them sincerely… Build relationships, not just email lists.” Engagement + consistency = success in this game.

You’ve got this! Apply these tips, keep learning from each send, and you’ll soon see those once-cold leads warming up — clicking your links, replying to you, and joining your opportunity. Here’s to higher open rates, better conversions, and thriving as an MLGS affiliate. Happy emailing and good luck!